★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool comparison edition
Tool Comparison
Capitol Trades vs GuruFocus
Pick Capitol Trades instead if
Capitol Trades
Free · Web
- Go this way if it's completely free.
Start here
GuruFocus
Free • From $549/yr · Web · Mobile · API
- You do a lot of your research from your phone
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You care about stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, things Capitol Trades doesn't offer
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
Capitol Trades and GuruFocus cover a lot of the same ground (4 shared categories, including US government trades, news, and blogs), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. GuruFocus simply does more: 48 categories to Capitol Trades's 4, including stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners, plus a mobile app. Capitol Trades counters by being completely free.
What readers say
Capitol Trades
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
GuruFocus
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Mobile app
- GuruFocus
- Free trial
- GuruFocus7 days
- Broader coverage
- GuruFocus48 vs 4 categories
- API access
- GuruFocus
- Global coverage
- GuruFocus
- Free plan
- Both
See for yourself
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Free | Free • From $549/yr |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | 7 days |
Plan limits | Free: history: Website data restricted to the past 3 years | 47 limits: Free: portfolio limit: Up to 3 portfolios with 25 stocks each for free members, Free: data api requests: 100/month included in the Free API package +45 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | Yes |
API access | No | Yes |
Broker sync | — | Yes |
Integrations | — | GuruFocus Data API, GuruFocus MCP Server +3 more |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +2 more | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +9 more |
Categories covered | 4 | 48 |
Regions | North America | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | — | 5 signals: Latency: End of Day, Granularity: EOD +3 more |
Data partners | — | 5 partners: QuoteMedia, Morningstar +3 more |
Capabilities | Universe builder | 8 signals: Custom formulas, Ranking backtests +6 more |
Security | — | Status page and Encryption in transit |
| Try it | Visit Capitol Trades | Visit GuruFocus |
Where each one shines
What Capitol Trades and GuruFocus each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Capitol Trades and GuruFocus each do best.What Capitol Trades does best
- Tracking U.S.
- Filters for political trades by chamber, party, committee, state, asset type, transaction type, trade size, sector, and issuer country.
- Direct access to trade detail pages with traded date, published date, filed date, reporting gap, owner type, asset type, and disclosed size range.
- Original filing links to verify disclosures at the source before acting on a trade.
- Browsing access to issuer pages with market snapshots and lists of politician trades tied to that issuer.
What GuruFocus does best
- Research coverage for global stocks with long historical financials, valuation data, charts, comparisons, market valuation indicators, economic indicators, industry data, and company-level fundamentals.
- The All-in-One Screener with hundreds of filters across fundamentals, valuation, profitability, growth, dividends, guru holdings, insider trades, predefined value screens, custom filters, saved screens, and downloads.
- Backtest screener strategies across many countries with configurable stock count, ranking metric, sort order, date range, and rebalance frequency.
- GF Score to compare stocks through a 0-100 framework built around financial strength, profitability, growth, valuation, and momentum.
- GF Value to frame fair value from historical multiples, past returns, and analyst estimates, then classify stocks by valuation range.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Capitol Trades and GuruFocus, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Capitol Trades and GuruFocus, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsMutual FundsOptionsCryptosBondsPrivate FundsOther | StocksETFsBondsMutual FundsOptionsFundsOther |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediate | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersPro RetailAnalystsStudents/Researchers | Retail TradersPro RetailLong-term InvestorsValue InvestorsQuality InvestorsDividend InvestorsAnalystsQuants/Developers+3 more |
Regions | North America | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker | Identifiers: Ticker and CIK |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Not specified | End of Day |
Data granularity | Not specified | EOD |
Pricing sources | Not specified | ExchangeVendorModel |
Data partners | Not specified | QuoteMediaMorningstarRefinitivFREDSEC / local regulators |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | Not specified | REST |
API auth & delivery | Not specified | Auth: APIKeySDKs: Python and GoDocs |
Import methods | Not specified | CSVBrokerOAuthManual |
Integrations | Not specified | GuruFocus Data APIGuruFocus MCP ServerGuruFocus Excel Add-inGuruFocus Google Sheets Add-onSnapTrade |
Export formats | Not specified | CSVExcelJSON |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Not specified | Status pageEncryption in transit |
Capability signals | Universe builder | Custom formulasRanking backtestsUniverse builderFactors: Value, Quality, Momentum, and GrowthBroker syncMulti-currencyYield curvesAI summaries: Transcripts |
Vendor & support | 2iQ Research GmbHCountry: GermanySupport: Email and Phone | GuruFocus.com, LLCCountry: United StatesFounded 2004Support: Email, Chat, Phone, and Forum |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.ShowHide
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Freehistory: Website data restricted to the past 3 years | Freeportfolio limit: Up to 3 portfolios with 25 stocks each for free members · data api requests: 100/month included in the Free API package · +1 more |
| Entry paid plan | — | $549/yr≈ $45.75/mo“Premium”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 200/month included with Premium membership · +2 more |
| Tier 2 | — | $1398/yr≈ $116.50/mo“Plus / Premium Plus”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 500/month included with Premium Plus membership · +2 more |
| Tier 3 | — | $200/mo“Data API Builder”billing: Billed annually · monthly request limit: No limit · +10 more |
| Tier 4 | — | $2448/yr≈ $204/mo“Pro / Professional”billing: Annual only · data api requests: 2,000/month included with Professional membership |
| Tier 5 | — | $2000/mo“Data API Commercial”billing: Billed annually · monthly request limit: No limit · +1 more |
| Top plan | — | $100 per unit“Data API Pay As You Go”initial top up: $100 credit · stock daily prices: $0.05/request · +16 more |
| Custom / enterprise | — | Contact sales“Custom API / Enterprise Package” |
| Free trial | — | 7 days |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Capitol Trades and GuruFocus?
Capitol Trades leans toward US government trades, news, and blogs, while GuruFocus puts more weight on stock ideas, screeners, and ETF screeners. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Capitol Trades and GuruFocus cost?
Good news: both Capitol Trades and GuruFocus have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Which is better for beginners: Capitol Trades or GuruFocus?
Honestly, neither is aimed at beginners. Expect a learning curve either way; that's the trade-off for the depth they offer.
Can I use Capitol Trades or GuruFocus on my phone?
GuruFocus lists a dedicated mobile app, so it travels better. Capitol Trades doesn't list a dedicated mobile app; its documented access is web.
Does Capitol Trades or GuruFocus have an API?
GuruFocus has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Capitol Trades doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose Capitol Trades or GuruFocus?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Capitol Trades if you prefer its overall approach; go with GuruFocus if you'd rather have stock ideas and screeners. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Capitol Trades and GuruFocus cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and options. Capitol Trades also handles cryptos and private funds. GuruFocus adds funds on top.
Which covers international markets: Capitol Trades or GuruFocus?
GuruFocus has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, and more), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. Capitol Trades is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from Capitol Trades and GuruFocus?
GuruFocus exports to CSV and Excel. Capitol Trades is stingier about getting data out.
Which has a better stock screener: Capitol Trades or GuruFocus?
GuruFocus has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Capitol Trades doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with Capitol Trades or GuruFocus?
GuruFocus handles portfolio tracking. Capitol Trades is really a research tool; you'd track your portfolio elsewhere.
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.